You and your Parish are cordially invited to participate in our third 5 th Sunday Global Solidarity Project of 2012

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1 Please forward to: Pastors, Associate Pastors, Deacons, Pro-Life Committees, Liturgy Teams, Social Ministry Committees, Religious Education and Youth Ministry Leaders, and other Parish Leadership Groups Once again this year, during this month of July, the calendar offers us five Sundays. In January and April, you may remember that members of our Archdiocesan Global Solidarity Team gathered and sent out to you materials and resources about the issues of Human Trafficking and Immigration. In April, we discussed how closely related Immigration and Human Trafficking can be, when immigrants in search of a better life become the targets and victims of traffickers. For July, team members felt that it would be good to address the topic of Fair Trade. This topic is a natural follow-up to the first two, because if farmers and crafts-persons receive a fair price for their products and are able to support their families and educate their children, then the need to migrate for survival would not be so desperate. You and your Parish are cordially invited to participate in our third 5 th Sunday Global Solidarity Project of 2012 In her book Fair Trade: A Beginners Guide, author Jacqueline DeCarlo, the Fair Trade Program Advisor of Catholic Relief Services, makes note of the following definition, endorsed by a number of international Fair Trade organizations and associations. Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialog, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers especially in the South. Fair Trade organizations, (backed by consumers) are actively engaged in supporting producers, in awareness raising, and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practices of conventional international trade. (Fair Trade: A Beginners Guide, pg. 3, One World Press) Enclosed/attached you will find: suggested bulletin inserts/handouts, web links, bulletin board flyers and other resources. We ask that you share the packet with the above leaders and committees in your parish. Many thanks for anything you might be able to do to raise awareness of this issue. Please note that OCSJM also has speakers available to give presentations in parishes about Fair Trade. Sincerely, Archdiocesan Global Solidarity Team Members Mary O Brien, coordinator of the OCSJM global solidarity initiative

2 Bulletin Quotes Fair Trade and Catholic Social Teaching Distribution of Wealth God intended the Earth and everything in it for the use of all human beings and peoples. Thus, under the leadership of justice and in the company of charity, created goods should flow fairly to all. All other rights, whatever they may be, including the rights of property and free trade, are to be subordinated to this principle. The Development of Peoples (Populorum Progressio) Pope Paul VI 1967 Just Wage The remuneration of work is not something that can be left to the laws of the marketplace; nor should it be a decision left to the will of the more powerful. It must be determined in accordance with justice and equity; which means that workers must be paid a wage which allows them to lead a truly human life, and to fulfill their family obligations in a worthy manner. Christianity and Social Progress (Mater et Magistra) Pope John XXIII 1961 Solidarity Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good. The Social Concerns of the Church (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis) Pope John Paul II 1988 Subsidiarity Just as it is gravely wrong to take from individuals what they can accomplish by their own initiative and industry and give it to the community, so also it is an injustice and at the same time a grave evil and disturbance of right order, to assign to a greater and higher association, what lesser and subordinate organizations can do. The Reconstruction of the Social Order (Quadragesimo Anno) Pope Pius XI 1931 Stewardship All creation is a gift. Scripture tells us that, the earth is the Lord s and all it holds. (Psalm 24:1) All of us, especially those closest to the land, are called to a special reverence and respect for God s creation While rural communities are uniquely dependent on land, water, and weather, stewardship is a responsibility of our entire society. For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Human Dignity Every perspective on economic life that is human, moral, and Christian must be shaped by three questions: What does the economy do for people? What does it do to people? And how do people participate in it? Economic Justice for All, United States Catholic Bishops 1986 Bulletin Quotes from

3 CRS FAIR TRADE: Solving the Brewing Questions of Global Poverty A mug of fair trade dark roast isn t just another cup of coffee; just as a fair trade chocolate bar isn t just another piece of candy. When you buy fair trade products you know where they come from; and you can be sure that the people who produced them are paid a fair price for them, have access to benefits such as education for their children, and professional development for fellow workers. However it doesn t end there. Once you know how your economic choices can support production that is fair and sustainable, bigger questions often follow questions that can take you from advocating for changes in the coffee served in your parish, to advocating for changes in U.S. international trade policy. That s where Catholics Confront Global Poverty comes in. This effort by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) focuses on seven key global poverty issues that U.S. citizens are in a unique position to impact. When you make a pot of fair trade coffee, consider some of the policy questions that are brewing with it. Fair trade projects benefit producers who might not otherwise be able to compete with larger producers. What can be done to make the entire trade system fairer? According to the teaching of the Catholic Church and the Catholic bishops of the United States, trade policy should be shaped so that it promotes integral human development. This means that every person should see his or her life develop in all its aspects, including in education, health and spirituality. Echoing the values in fair trade programs, trade policy should help, not harm small and medium sized farmers, provide fair labor standards, be transparent and democratic, and protect the environment. How can environmental policy help the producers of fair trade products? For Latin American coffee growers, climate change is likely to have a huge impact on where and how they grow their crops. Climate change models show that the ideal altitudes for How Can My Community Address These Questions and Work for Lasting Solutions? Whether you re part of a parish, school, campus ministry, religious community, or youth group, you can make a difference and become a Star on the Catholics Confront Global Solidarity Map! It s simple. Just complete these four steps: PRAY for an end to global poverty with our sample intercessions: ( overty/ccgp_generalintercessions.s html) LEARN about global poverty. Read The Faces of Global Poverty and lead your group in a discussion afterwards. Visit /index.cfm) ACT by contacting your elected officials and urging them to make confronting the major causes of global poverty a priority. For our action alerts, visit ( GIVE your time and talent to confront global poverty. Visit the CRS Fair Trade website ( for tips on other things you can do.

4 growing coffee will shift in coming years as temperatures rise and rainfall patterns change. The Coffee Under Pressure (CUP) project, a partnership between CRS and the International Center For Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), will forecast the effects of climate change on coffee growing communities in Mexico and Central America, and help farmers develop strategies to adapt. The program is funded by a grant from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. This effort models several values that the Catholic bishops of the United States have championed in the climate change debate, including providing resources to assist poor countries in adapting to the effects of climate change, insuring that the effects of climate change are mitigated for poor and vulnerable people, and promoting the participation of affected local communities in finding solutions to these issues. Where do fair trade farmers in developing countries get the assistance they need to be able to transition to fair trade and be competitive? Fair trade farmers need help with start-up funding, technical assistance, and partner training. USCCB and CRS believe that U.S. international assistance programs that uphold the life and dignity of people are keys to helping people rise from poverty in developing countries. The U.S. international assistance system is in need of reform, however. To that end, USCCB and CRS urge the U.S. to make integral human development the fundamental goal of U.S. international assistance, and to create a development strategy that focuses on poverty reduction and human development. What options do small farmers have when they are pushed out of the market by larger, highly subsidized competition? Poor farmers are often not able to compete with much more efficient, highly subsidized farmers in developed countries. The current trade policy of many developed countries, including the U.S., means that farmers and workers in developing countries are forced to migrate to areas where the job prospects are better. Currently, according to some estimates, close to 200 million people live outside their country of birth worldwide. Although this number includes refugees, asylum seekers and others, economic migrants make up the largest proportion. The Catholic Church works to reduce the need for people to migrate, as well as to protect those people who have little choice but to do so. The long-term goal is equitable development for all peoples, so that migration is a choice rather than a necessity. Based on the experience of Catholic organizations in many countries, the flow of migrants will continue as long as economic and social factors compel people to leave their homes in search of work or safety. We must both address the factors that create global poverty and marginalization, and work for comprehensive migration reform. This includes addressing the factors driving migration such as trade subsidies, conflict, climate change, and current U.S. immigration policy that is outdated and ill-equipped to serve the needs of both immigrants and our nation. From: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Relief Services

5 How does FAIR TRADE Differ from Free Trade? Many people are familiar with the term, free trade, which has played a major role in countries trade policies in the past few decades. While free trade policies need reform, Fair Trade adds a complimentary business model to such reform. The table below summarizes key differences: Free Trade is NOT Fair Trade Main Goal: Focuses on: Primarily benefits: Critics say: Major actions: Producer compensation determined by: Supply chain: Key advocate organizations: Free Trade To increase nations economic growth Trade policies between countries Multi-national corporations, powerful business interests Punishing to marginalized people & the environment, sacrifices long-term Countries lower tariffs, quotas, labor and environmental standards Market and government policies Includes many parties between producer and consumer World Trade Organization, World Bank, International Monetary Fund Fair Trade To empower marginalized people and improve the quality of their lives Commerce among individuals and businesses Vulnerable farmers, artisans and workers in less industrialized countries Interferes with free market, inefficient, too small scale for impact Businesses offer producers favorable financing, longterm relationships, minimum prices and higher labor and environmental standards Living wage and community improvement costs Includes fewer parties, more direct trade Fair Trade Labeling Organization, World Fair Trade Organization All Rights Reserved- Fair Trade Resource Network,

6 Top 10 Reasons to Buy Fair Trade Fair Trade Resource Network Give us a call: or us at: info@ftrn.org ( 1. Fair Trade means fair pay and working conditions for vulnerable farmers and producers. By choosing Fair Trade, consumers support safe and healthy working conditions for farmers and artisans and create just economic opportunities for marginalized producers. 2. Fair Trade encourages environmental sustainability. By using eco-friendly farming practices or raw materials found in nature or recycled, Fair Trade supports sustainable practices that minimize our environmental footprint. 3. Fair Trade protects children. Local managers uphold children s rights to security, education, and play. Businesses respect and support local laws and social norms, and disclose the involvement of children in production. 4. Fair Trade empowers marginalized workers. Farmers and artisans gain access to low-cost, advanced capital, as well as opportunities for building their technical and business skills. 5. Fair Trade is safe. Fair Trade actively promotes integrated farm management systems that improve soil fertility and preserve valuable eco-systems and limit the use of harmful agrochemicals that present dangers to farmers health. That means food that s safer for you and the farmers who grow it! 6. Fair Trade supports communities. By working through cooperative structures, Fair Trade artisans and small farmers are able to invest Fair Trade earnings in their communities, improving housing, healthcare and schools. 7. Fair Trade is trade farmers & artisans can count on. Fair Trade is committed to strengthening direct, long-term partnerships between buyers and producers. These partnerships allows buyers to purchase quality products from people they trust and offer a sustainable and reliable way for farmers, artisans, and their families to improve their livelihoods. 8. Fair Trade connects you with other cultures. Fair Trade products are unique to the places they come from and the people who make them. Farmers and artisans are involved in the entire process, and Fair Trade products reflect the people and cultures they come from. 9. Fair Trade means sustainable local economies. Fair Trade gives farmers & artisans control of their own future. They can build their own businesses, rather than work for a middleman, and the profits stay in their communities and go back into their businesses. 10. Fair Trade means what you buy matters. By choosing Fair Trade products, you are not only accessing high quality products, you are making a difference in the lives of the people who grow and craft the products.

7 Fair Trade Facts From: Equal Exchange What is Fair Trade? Fair Trade is a way of doing business that ultimately aims to keep small farmers an active part of the world marketplace, and aims to empower consumers to make purchases that support their values. Fair Trade is a set of business practices voluntarily adopted by the producers and buyers of agricultural commodities and hand-made crafts that are designed to advance many economic, social and environmental goals, including: Raising and stabilizing the incomes of small-scale farmers, farm workers, and artisans More equitably distributing the economic gains, opportunities and risks associated with the production and sale of these goods Increasing the organizational and commercial capabilities of producer groups Supporting democratically owned and controlled producer organizations Promoting labor rights and the right of workers to organize Promoting safe and sustainable farming methods and working conditions Connecting consumers and producers Increasing consumer awareness and engagement with issues affecting producers The Fair Trade practices that advance these goals typically, but not always, include: Direct trade relationships and long term contracts between importers and producer groups Sourcing from small-farmer or artisan co-operatives Higher than conventional market prices, either through above-marker premiums and/or price floors The provision of affordable credit Adherence to the policies of the International Labor Organization, especially those concerning child and forced labor and the right to collective bargaining The prohibition of the use of the more dangerous pesticides and herbicides Substantial price premiums for the production of certified organic crops External monitoring, auditing, and certification of these practices by independent third-parties Equal Exchange is partnered with CRS (Catholic Relief Services). Check out their website:

8 NOW Is The Time To Take Action! Ways to Get Involved: How do you know it s Fair Trade? Look for the Logos. Serve Fair Trade Coffee at Parish Events Host a Fair Trade Chocolate or Coffee Tasting Sell Fair Trade Coffee or Chocolate for Easter or Valentine s Day Host a CRS Work of Human Hands Sale Host an Event for World Fair Trade Day ( Do Reverse Trick or Treating ( Organize a Fair Trade Town ( Advocate for Policy Reform ( Support Non-Profit Organizations such as ( Visit Haiti s Back Porch in Middletown Center Visit Ten Thousand Villages in West Hartford and New Haven The Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry is available to help. Co-Sponsor a Film Night. OCSJM owns several DVD s of varying lengths. OCSJM has a number of resources to assist you in preparing a presentation for your pastor, parish council, or other parish group. Staff members are happy to come to your parish for presentations. Call (203) to schedule a presentation. CRS Coffee Partners in the Northeast (Mention CRS when you order) Coffee-Tea-Etc.: Goshen, CT Our mission is to provide customers with the best quality of products at fair prices, bring farmers and consumers closer through education, and pay farmers a fair price so they can provide for their families and communities. Telephone: ; Website: Dean s Beans Organic Coffee Company: Orange, MA Each player in our cycle of production and distribution, from the farmer to the consumer, participates in socially just and environmentally responsible trade. We hope that all other coffee companies will follow our lead. Telephone: ; Website: Equal Exchange: West Bridgewater, MA Telephone: ; Website: